Zabuza Momochi

"Protect Mr. Tazuna. Our opponent this time is Demon Zabuza. When he graduated, he killed every one of his classmates.

"He's a truly ruthless ninja. This is the Hidden Mist Technique, Kirigakure's top assassination technique. Watch out for Zabuza's sneak attacks."

A thin mist rose, carrying a faint trace of killing intent. The group was on edge. This time, their enemy wasn't like the two Kirigakure rogue ninja they'd just encountered. He was a murderous fiend far more dangerous than either of them.

"Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, keep an eye on Tazuna. I'll deal with Demon Zabuza."

Mufeng Uchiha activated his Sharingan and scanned the area. Just then, Demon Zabuza's voice rang out.

"Brat, you've got some nerve, wanting to fight me. Remember, I'm aiming for your heart."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zabuza Momochi never expected Mufeng Uchiha to appear behind him.

"Water Style: Water Blade Slash."

Mufeng Uchiha coated the Kunai in his hand with Water Style Chakra and slashed down at Zabuza Momochi. Relying on the instincts he'd honed through years of fighting for his life, Zabuza Momochi abruptly raised Kubikiribōchō. Their weapons clashed.

Clang—

"That beheading sword isn't very sturdy. I've already chipped it."

Mufeng Uchiha tossed aside the broken Kunai in his hand. Sure enough, Kubikiribōchō had a notch in it.

"Kid, you can brag about chipping Kubikiribōchō with a single Kunai."

Though he sounded casual, Zabuza Momochi was secretly stunned.

The kid looks barely past ten, yet he managed to sneak up behind me without making a sound. I almost got caught off guard. I absolutely can't let him grow any stronger!

Zabuza Momochi rapidly formed Hand Seals, stringing together more than a dozen in three seconds. After nine seconds, he finally finished.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet!"

A fearsome water dragon rose from the river behind him and roared as it lunged to swallow Mufeng Uchiha.

"Using Water Style in front of me? Don't you know who taught me my Water Style?"

"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet."

Mufeng Uchiha used only three Hand Seals. His water dragon was more than twice as large as Zabuza's.

The raging water dragon swallowed the smaller one in the blink of an eye. In an instant, the tables had turned.

Only then did the onlookers get a clear sense of Mufeng Uchiha's strength. Kakashi Hatake gave up on helping and instead became curious about whether Zabuza could force Mufeng to show what he was really capable of.

"Mufeng keeps getting stronger. The gap between us is only going to grow. Can I still get my revenge?"

Uchiha Sasuke fell into self-doubt. Life in the village was too comfortable. No matter how unwilling he was to admit it, he'd always been under Mufeng Uchiha's protection. At this rate, he'd never surpass Mufeng or avenge Itachi Uchiha.

"Too careless. You didn't even bother to defend yourself. You brought this on yourself."

The Water Dragon Bullet crashed down and swallowed only a Water Clone. Zabuza Momochi had already slipped away like a shadow, swinging his blade at Mufeng Uchiha.

Clang—

The impact rang out like iron striking iron. Kubikiribōchō struck Mufeng Uchiha's neck, leaving only a shallow red mark.

"The combination of Six Powers: Iron Body and Blood Manipulation works pretty well. At least, even a full-power strike from a Jonin aimed at a weak point can't break through."

Everyone who saw this couldn't help but shrink their pupils. The sight had utterly shocked them.

"Big Brother Mufeng is so cool! He didn't even dodge—he blocked that old man's sword with his body! I want to learn that move too!"

Aside from the excited Naruto Uzumaki, Kakashi Hatake and the others were completely stunned by Mufeng Uchiha.

Everyone knew that ninja were built for high offense and low defense. Mufeng Uchiha had already surpassed most of them.

"Zabuza, let's try it out on you. Blood Manipulation version: Heaven's Weeping."

A large amount of blood welled out of the wound on Mufeng Uchiha's neck and formed into needle-like spikes. In the next instant, they shot toward Zabuza Momochi like a torrential rain of needles.

"That's blood! A new Kekkei Genkai? It's so fast I can't react!"

The blood suddenly attacked from the wound Kubikiribōchō had cut open, catching Zabuza completely off guard. He'd never have imagined that blood itself could be used as a weapon.

The blood needles pierced Zabuza Momochi's heart. Mufeng Uchiha hadn't killed him; he'd only put him into a state of suspended death.

"On top of the Sharingan, he's awakened a new Kekkei Genkai, Blood Style. His talent is terrifying. Can I really keep teaching a genius like him?"

Just as Kakashi Hatake was about to step forward and finish off Zabuza Momochi, three Senbon flew out of the shadows and pierced Zabuza Momochi's neck as he lay on the ground.

The Kirigakure Anbu member disguised as Yuki Haku finally appeared to collect Zabuza Momochi's body.

"I'm an Anbu from Kirigakure, here to hunt down the rogue ninja Zabuza Momochi. Thank you all for your help. I'll be taking Zabuza Momochi's body back now."

Kakashi Hatake was about to ask a question, but Mufeng Uchiha stepped in front of him and quietly shook his head.

They watched as the Anbu left. After Zabuza's attack, everyone couldn't help but pick up their pace.

With everyone moving faster, they finally reached Tazuna's home. After several days on the road, they finally had a chance to rest.

"It's a small place, so we don't have much to offer. I hope you'll make do."

Once he was home, Tazuna called his daughter, Tsunami, to cook dinner for everyone and welcomed them warmly.

"What's the point? What heroes? We can't take on Gato. We'd only be going to our deaths."

When Inari, Tazuna's grandson, heard that Mufeng Uchiha and the others were going to help, he responded pessimistically, insisting they couldn't possibly succeed.

"If we don't try, how will we know we can't do it? My ninja way is to keep my word. We'll help you build the bridge, no matter what! Leave Gato to me, Naruto Uzumaki!"

In the face of Naruto Uzumaki's bold declaration, Inari remained just as pessimistic. Mufeng Uchiha had no interest in watching children bicker, so he walked outside to check on his brother, who was feeling emo.

Uchiha Sasuke was sitting on a branch, gazing at the moon and pondering life. Mufeng Uchiha leaped up and sat beside him.

"What's wrong, Sasuke? Did this genius make you question your whole life today? Sigh, you don't have to take it so hard. You and I aren't on the same level. At worst, I'll teach you the Six Powers over the next few days."

Mufeng Uchiha patted him on the back. His smug expression made Sasuke's veins bulge.

"Damn you, Mufeng. You're only ahead for now. I'll surpass you eventually. And I don't need your help, so stop acting like I do."

Uchiha Sasuke also realized something: he seemed to have learned everything from Mufeng Uchiha. He'd never surpass Mufeng that way.

Kakashi Hatake might not even be a match for Mufeng. If Sasuke wanted to get stronger, he had to find a teacher more powerful than either of them. Once he returned to Konoha, he'd have to start making arrangements.

Mufeng Uchiha saw all of this. Sasuke was going through his rebellious phase. Maybe, just like in the original story, he'd have to send Sasuke off to Orochimaru Nursery first.